Chapter 22: The Price of Victory
I woke three days later.
Kael was beside my bed.
He looked exhausted.
“You’re awake.”
I smiled.
“How long?”
“Three days.”
“Everyone?”
“Alive.”
I sighed in relief.
Then I felt something strange.
The Shadow Wolf was gone.
But there was a mark on my chest.
A black crescent surrounded by silver flames.
“What happened?”
Kael looked at it.
“The Shadow Wolf is sealed inside you.”
My heart stopped.
“What?”
“It’s not controlling you.”
“Then what is it doing?”
“Sleeping.”
I looked at him.
“And if it wakes?”
“Then we’ll deal with it.”
I smiled.
“You always say that.”
“Because it’s true.”
He took my hand.
But something was different.
The bond between us had changed.
It was deeper.
Stronger.
Permanent.
I could feel his heartbeat.
He could feel mine.
No rejection could ever break it.
Then my mother entered.
She was crying.
I smiled.
“What?”
She hugged me.
“I thought I lost you.”
“I’m here.”
She pulled back.
“I’ve spent twelve years trying to protect you.”
“I know.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
She kissed my forehead.
“My little moon.”
For the first time…
I felt like I had a family again.
